Dear Tom, Good point. We have already made the final rule available in the background information on our website: http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/agency-specific_solutions/changes-to-esa.html
Or, if you want to go directly to the rule linked form our site: http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/E8-29701.pdf I'm happy to also provide more information about scientific society reaction to the rule. The Ecological Society of America commented on the rule when it was first proposed, with the headline "Ecological Society of America Criticizes Bush Administration's Overhaul of the Endangered Species Act": http://www.esa.org/pao/newsroom/pressReleases2008/08262008.php ESA also filed public comments regarding the rule: http://www.esa.org/pao/policyStatements/Letters/EndangeredSpeciesAct_PublicComment2008.php Comments were also submitted by the Society for Conservation Biology, the Ornithological Society, and The Wildlife Society; you can read those here: http://joomla.wildlife.org/documents/ESA_comments.pdf I hope this helps you (and others) come to an informed decision regarding whether or not you wish to support this letter: http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/big_picture_solutions/2009-esa-scientists-letter.html Best, Michael Michael Halpern Program Manager Scientific Integrity Program Union of Concerned Scientists 1825 K Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 331-5452 fax: (202) 223-6162 http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity >>> "Tom Cuba" <[email protected]> 04/10/09 6:25 AM >>> I am writing to draw your attention to the need to read the rule in question before adding your name to a petition. Read the actual rule, not a third party summary or opinion. Tom Cuba. > Greetings, > > I am writing to draw your attention to a scientist letter that urges the > Obama administration to strengthen the scientific foundation of the > Endangered Species Act: > http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/big_picture_solutions/2009-esa-scientists-letter.html > > The letter is intended for scientists with biological expertise who > possess or are working towards an advanced degree in a relevant field. The > deadline for signing the letter is April 22, as the Obama administration > has until May 8 to act. > > In January the Bush administration pushed through a change to the > Endangered Species Act that allows federal agencies without biological > expertise to decide for themselves to what degree their own projects will > impact endangered wildlife, eliminating the requirement for independent > scientific review (known as Section 7 consultations). The new process > removes the expert opinions of the government scientists who, for decades, > have provided critical analysis of the consequences of federal projects > for endangered species, and replaces them with the uneven oversight of > agencies with potential conflicts of interest and without the relevant > scientific expertise. > > Just as importantly, the rules also sharply limit the types of information > federal scientists can consider when evaluating federal projects. By > compromising the quality and independence of scientific review, the rules > undermine effective protections for wildlife and their habitats. > > This issue received significant news coverage and sparked outrage from the > scientific community. In early March, President Obama recognized the > success of the Endangered Species Act and expressed concerns about the new > rules, saying that "we should be looking for ways to improve it - not > weaken it." In response, Congress passed a spending bill in March > containing a provision that gives the secretaries of interior and commerce > the authority to rescind the controversial rules. > > One month later, neither Secretary Salazar nor Secretary Locke have rolled > back the flawed changes, leading to concerns that they will simply let the > deadline pass. Sources within the Obama administration have indicated that > support from the scientific community would help convince the secretaries > to act. A similar letter, issued in 2006 and signed by more than 5,000 > biologists, was widely credited with convincing Congress to stop misguided > legislation that would have gutted the scientific underpinnings of the > Endangered Species Act. > > The Union of Concerned Scientists, Society for Conservation Biology, and > Center for Biological Diversity are providing logistical support for this > effort. We will deliver the letter to the secretaries at the end of April. > Please sign on to this letter urging Secretaries Salazar and Locke to help > restore scientific integrity to the Endangered Species Act by rolling back > the flawed rule changes: > http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/big_picture_solutions/2009-esa-scientists-letter.html > > Thank you for your consideration of this critical issue. > > More information: > http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/agency-specific_solutions/changes-to-esa.html > > President Obama's remarks: > http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/030309_speech_pres_obama.html > > Sign the letter: > http://www.ucsusa.org/biologistsletter > > Once you have signed, tell your colleagues about this effort: > http://action.ucsusa.org/site/Ecard?ecard_id=1221 > > > > Michael Halpern > Program Manager > Scientific Integrity Program > Union of Concerned Scientists > 1825 K Street, Suite 800 > Washington, DC 20006 > (202) 331-5452 > http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity > > Please print this only if you need to print this. >
